Results 1 to 16 of 16

Thread: Industrial placement

  1. #1
    Senior Member Kezzer's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2003
    Posts
    4,863
    Thanks
    12
    Thanked
    5 times in 5 posts

    Industrial placement

    Well it's that time of year where I have to decide whether to do industrial placement or not.

    There's many deciding factors over whether I want to do it or not, and I'm still highly unsure of what decision to make. Basically I want to go on and do a masters and PhD in my field but I don't want to spend an extra year in industrial placement if I won't be using that experience for another 5 years time. Personally I study towards my degree as well as it being a personal interest so many people say that a year in industry gains you more knowledge for your final year. I'm not doubting that fact but I think I could learn everything myself in my own time. Plus if I took the year in industry it'd mean finding a new house to stay in for my final year. Also, I don't want to commute, I don't even own a license and trains just aren't my bag.

    Can anyone speak from personal experience? All I've heard from everyone is if you don't do it, you basically do crap in your final year and you'll never get a job in that field.

    Anything that should be pointed out to me?

  2. #2
    Junior Senior Member Aaron's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2003
    Location
    London, England
    Posts
    1,516
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked
    1 time in 1 post
    I did an industrial placement year and I'm very glad that I did. It broadened my horizons and I gained a lot of work related skills (giving presentations, selling my ideas to other people, writing reports, etc). I certainly returned to university afterwards with a renewed enthusiasm and greater work ethic too. Of course, when it came to applying for jobs, that extra year's experience gave me an edge over other candidates and the place where I did my placement offered me a job too.

    In terms of what I do for a living, I use a lot more of the skills I learnt on my industrial placement than I do what I learnt for my degree.

    Doing an industrial placement also gives you the oppotunity to see somewhere new and experience another part of the country or even the world. If you're planning to do your degree, masters and PhD all at the same university then the change of scenary might be a nice change for a year.

    However, I only did a degree and a masters. Perhaps if you're planning to do a PhD as well then it becomes less of an issue. If you're clever then I'm sure you'll do well in your final year and get a job at the end regardless.

  3. #3
    Senior Member Kezzer's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2003
    Posts
    4,863
    Thanks
    12
    Thanked
    5 times in 5 posts
    That's what I was hoping to hear, cheers for the input Aaron.

    Yes, I'm aiming to change universities for my masters and PhD, I may aim for a better university (if only I could get into Oxford) I just need to get my head down for the next 2 years I think. If the final year project is a group project then me and a friend are already working on a project which we may put towards our final year project. I should go in and speak to someone about it really as it would be nice if I could skip that year but still be a high acheiver at the same time.

  4. #4
    Don't feed the trolls... tiggerai's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2003
    Location
    Milk & Beans
    Posts
    9,286
    Thanks
    271
    Thanked
    480 times in 313 posts
    • tiggerai's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Gigabyte MA770T-UD3P
      • CPU:
      • AMD PhenomII 955BE
      • Memory:
      • 4Gb Corsair XMS DDR3
      • Storage:
      • Lots
      • Graphics card(s):
      • Sapphire X1950XT
      • PSU:
      • Hiper Type-R 550w
      • Case:
      • Antec lovely black thing
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 7
      • Monitor(s):
      • 2x 20" widescreen
      • Internet:
      • Pipexpants
    Do it.

    Believe me, it really counts when you're looking for a job as it's all experience these days.

    You can't just get a job on a degree as it doesn't say anything about how you can work and interact in a employment environment.

    I got a first for my placement write up, as I did an accredited engineering degree I didn't get a choice, but I'm so glad I did anyway. (If you wanna read it, drop me a PM and I'll dig out a copy - give you an idea of a placement).

    Also, it gave me an experience of living by myself and getting me ready for the big wide world, getting your head around bills and rental agreements and commuting (had a half hour commute) is experience most people need!

    EDIT: Also you may get to the end of your final year and decide, like I did, that further education wouldn't be worth it. I was going to do an Advanced Internet Engineering masters but decided against it as the value for money vs experience and knowledge gained wasn't worth it. Without the Industrial year, i would have really struggled with the finding a job bit that comes with graduation.
    Last edited by tiggerai; 16-10-2005 at 01:57 PM.

  5. #5
    ?!
    Join Date
    Sep 2004
    Posts
    1,045
    Thanks
    2
    Thanked
    6 times in 5 posts
    It would be silly not to. I was also thinking about doing a masters/PhD but did some contracting work this summer and a chat with a wise old friend made me realise otherwise.

    Believe me, in just contracting work alone, I learned a hell of a lot!

  6. #6
    Senior Member Kezzer's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2003
    Posts
    4,863
    Thanks
    12
    Thanked
    5 times in 5 posts
    Money isn't a problem in my situation, my government fully fund all my tuition fees and give me £2500 a year on top of that.

    I know it's really handy, plus I'd get lots of money. Hmmmm! Also, about 98% of students at my uni do industrial placement year. Oh decisions, I think I should *applies for it*

    Right, who wants to help me with my CV? I'm clueless

  7. #7
    Theoretical Element Spud1's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2003
    Location
    North West
    Posts
    7,508
    Thanks
    336
    Thanked
    320 times in 255 posts
    • Spud1's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Gigabyte Aorus Master
      • CPU:
      • 9900k
      • Memory:
      • 16GB GSkill Trident Z
      • Storage:
      • Lots.
      • Graphics card(s):
      • RTX3090
      • PSU:
      • 750w
      • Case:
      • BeQuiet Dark Base Pro rev.2
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 10
      • Monitor(s):
      • Asus PG35VQ
      • Internet:
      • 910/100mb Fibre
    Do it

    I've just started mine (7weeks in) and i'm loving it Granted that may be because the jobs in switzerland...but still its a great idea.

    Already in these first few weeks I have learnt alot, both about how a 'real' computing job works and in terms of my skill set. It's all very well learning X language and X program at uni, but when your doing it in the real world its completely different. More pressure yet at the same time it seems easier - there are plenty of people in the office who know what they are doing (more so than lecturers) and always help out when you need it. It could also help to focus you more - ie help with module choices for your final year depending on what you like doing this year.

    So far it's been a great experience, more than I could have hoped for, and hopefully it will just get better as the year goes on.

    A full time job also means more money ofc I'm not taking my student loan this year, and I still have a chunk of cash that i can save each month if i stick close to my budget.

    There is also the possibility of a job at the end of it if they like you - from the companies perspective they have a year to 'test you out' which is better than any job interview. There is no guarentee of course but it is certainly an opportunity, especially if you apply for a job with them at a later date.

  8. #8
    Senior Member Nemeliza's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2003
    Posts
    1,719
    Thanks
    1
    Thanked
    5 times in 5 posts
    Im currently in my second month of my industrial placement, Im working in bracknell for a Business Intelligence Software company called Cognos.

    I would say DO IT, its a excellent experience and it helps to tie things together that you are taught from university.

    Oh and you get paid

  9. #9
    Senior Member Workaholic's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    Manchester
    Posts
    1,500
    Thanks
    187
    Thanked
    14 times in 12 posts
    Quote Originally Posted by Kezzer
    Money isn't a problem in my situation, my government fully fund all my tuition fees and give me £2500 a year on top of that.

    I know it's really handy, plus I'd get lots of money. Hmmmm! Also, about 98% of students at my uni do industrial placement year. Oh decisions, I think I should *applies for it*

    Right, who wants to help me with my CV? I'm clueless
    What university do you go to. I applied to over 30/40 places with no definite reply last year but one potiential placement. Also on my course Computer Science at the University of Manchester, only 4 or so have gone on IE last year compared to approx 200 students for the year.
    Woohoo now Assistant Manager!


  10. #10
    Junior Senior Member Aaron's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2003
    Location
    London, England
    Posts
    1,516
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked
    1 time in 1 post
    The university I went to (Surrey) made industrial placements almost mandatory and had links with a number of companies.

    I ended up doing R&D/software development for one of the companies on the university's research park and there were certain companies who always took students from our department each year.

    If you're planning to do it, then make sure you apply early and keep in close contact with whoever deals with placements in your department.

  11. #11
    Senior Member Kezzer's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2003
    Posts
    4,863
    Thanks
    12
    Thanked
    5 times in 5 posts
    Yup, I'm going to get on it tomorrow

  12. #12
    Senior Member Workaholic's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    Manchester
    Posts
    1,500
    Thanks
    187
    Thanked
    14 times in 12 posts
    Mandatory eh, might sugguest that to the head of year as usually only approximately 5-10% of the students from each year go on Inudstrial Experience.
    Woohoo now Assistant Manager!


  13. #13
    ?!
    Join Date
    Sep 2004
    Posts
    1,045
    Thanks
    2
    Thanked
    6 times in 5 posts
    Quote Originally Posted by Workaholic
    Mandatory eh, might sugguest that to the head of year as usually only approximately 5-10% of the students from each year go on Inudstrial Experience.
    Flucatuates year on year. Those who I spoke to who did placements, they even said themselves that they didnt care and left it to last minute. Then again , the majority of people are at uni to be like the jones, and to avoid working... but ill leave it at that

  14. #14
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Posts
    2,069
    Thanks
    4
    Thanked
    7 times in 3 posts
    It depends on the uni...I know Surrey love the whole work experience side, but Southampton arent so keen.
    Twigman

  15. #15
    Huggable
    Join Date
    Jul 2004
    Location
    Manchester
    Posts
    688
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked
    0 times in 0 posts
    • Starburn's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Epox 9NPA+
      • CPU:
      • A64 4000+ (@ 12x210)
      • Memory:
      • 2x1gig Corsair XMS Pro (DDR400 @ 420)
      • Storage:
      • 2x80gig Raid0 & 1x200gig
      • Graphics card(s):
      • ATI Radeon X1800XT (above stock)
      • PSU:
      • Hiper Type-R Modular (580W)
      • Case:
      • Coolermaster Wave
      • Monitor(s):
      • 19" TFT & 50" TV (for games)
      • Internet:
      • Be 24mb
    I'm currently on my IE year at the moment (infact, posting this from work.. hehe).

    I love it, I'm getting paid, I still get student discounts + all the benefits of being a student, whilst gaining experience (and some great things for my CV).. also met some really great people.. and got to go on business trips to london etc.

    From my personal experience, I'd say go for it
    We cannot choose what we are.. but what are we but the sum of our choices?

  16. #16
    Senior Member Kezzer's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2003
    Posts
    4,863
    Thanks
    12
    Thanked
    5 times in 5 posts
    Cheers for the input I'm definitely doing it now, *gets the suit out the closet*

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. Just started my placement year..en Suisse!
    By Spud1 in forum General Discussion
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 07-09-2005, 09:47 AM
  2. Industrial Design Excellence Awards 2005
    By Steve in forum HEXUS News
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 20-07-2005, 04:49 PM
  3. HEXUS.affiliate placement annoyance
    By scotty6435 in forum HEXUS Suggestions
    Replies: 12
    Last Post: 05-07-2005, 03:53 PM
  4. Opinions needed on alternate fan placement ideas
    By leon in forum Chassis and Mods
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 19-02-2004, 02:32 PM
  5. Need an industrial fan, can you help me out
    By silent ben in forum General Discussion
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 04-08-2003, 08:50 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •